Illusion apparatus.



G. E. A. MERROW. ILLUSION APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED un 27, 1910.

Patented Oct. 18,1910.

CHARLES E. A. MERBIOEV, OF HYDE PARK, MASSACHUSETTS.

ILLUSION APPARATUS.

arenas.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 18, 1910.

Application filed June 27, 1910. Serial No. 568,978.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. A. MER- now, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Hyde Park, in the county of Norfolk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inIllusion Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inillusion apparatus.

The particular type of illusion apparatus to which the inventionpertains comprises a reflecting mirror mounted upon a suitable supportand adapted to show an image of a design or drawing which is placed uponthe support. The observer looks into the mirror from above, the objectupon the support being hidden from the direct vision of the observer bya shield. This type of apparatus is generally employed for amusementpurposes and the endeavor of the person using it is to draw anypredetermined figure upon a sheet of paper resting upon the support bylooking into the mirror from above and observing the reflection of thepencil and paper which are hidden by the shield from the direct visionof the operator.

The object of this invention is to provide a device of this characterwhich shall be simple, easily constructed and of considerable rigiditywhen the various parts are extended in operative relation to oneanother.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which maybe quickly and easily folded into a compact form and occupy acomparatively small space when not in use.

WVith the above ends in view the invention contemplates the followingfeatures which will be more specifically described in the specificationand defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, illustrating the preferred form of theinvention, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the improved illusionapparatus with the parts extended in operative relation to one another.Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus with the various partsfolded together and Fig. 3

folded together in a compact relation to one another, the shield 6 isalso attached at 2 to the links 3. The shield 6, when in its workingposition, extends out approximately parallel to the support 4 and cutsoff the view of objects upon the support from the direct vision of theoperator looking down from above. In order that the operator may lookdirectly into the mirror 1 however, and observe the reflection of anyobject upon the support therein, the shield 6 is cut away at 7. Themirror 1 may be adjusted to different angles in order to vary theposition of the image, by moving the foot of the mirror along thesupport 4 where it is held in any desired position by a series of tangsor projections 8 which are struck up from the support. The shield 6 mayalso be adjusted to various positions and held by a thumb screw 9 whichlooks the shield 6 and mirror 1 in position when it is tightened.

hen it is desired to fold the apparatus up when not in use the shield 6is swung down against the mirror 1 and the mirror and shield togetherwith the links 3 are then folded down upon the support 4. In order thatthe shield 6 may lie flat upon the support 4 when the apparatus isfolded up, it is dished or bent slightly inward at 10 as shown clearlyin Fig. 3. This allows sutiicient space for the tangs 8 when the shieldlies upon the support 4:.

It can now readily be seen that with the above described arrangement ofparts, a very simple, compact structure is obtained and which may beeasily folded up into a small space when not in use. It is consideredpreferable to stamp the various parts, comprising the apparatus, out ofsheet metal as this method of construction enables the device to bereadily constructed. It is to be understood, however, that any otherconvenient material and method of construction may be employed if sodesired.

My invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore specificallydescribed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but may beembodied in other forms Within the nature of the invention and the scopeof the following claims.

I claim 1. An illusion apparatus, having, in combination, a support, amirror capable of angular adjustment relatively to the support and ashield mounted adjacent to the mirror above the support and adapted toallow only a reflected view of the support or objects thereon fromabove, substantially as described.

2. An illusion apparatus, having, in combination, a support, a pluralityof links pivotally connected to the support, a mirror and a shieldpivotally connected between the free ends of the links whereby theapparatus may be folded into a compact form, substantially as described.

3. An illusion apparatus, having, in combination, a support, a mirrorcapable of angular adjustment relatively to the support, a plurality ofprojections upon the support against which the foot of the mirror restsand a shield mounted adjacent the mirror above the support and adaptedto allow only a reflected view of the support and objects thereon fromabove, substantially as described.

4. An illusion apparatus, having, in com bination, a support, a mirrorcapable of angular adjustment relatively to the support, a plurality ofprojections upon the support against which the foot of the mirror rests,a shield mounted adjacent to the mirror above the support and adapted toallow only a reflected view of the support and objects thereon fromabove, the shield being dished inwardly whereby the shield is enabled tolie flat upon the support when the apparatus is not in use,substantially as described.

5. An illusion apparatus, having, in combination, a support, a mirrorangularly adjustable relatively to the support and a shield angularlyadjustable relatively to the support and mirror and adapted to allowonly a reflected view of the support and ob jects thereon from above,substantially as described.

CHARLES E. A. MERROWV.

Witnesses:

WARREN Gr. OGDEN, FRED O. FISH.

